Larry and I love to practice and, in fact, look for opportunities to be “Vessels of Love” in our daily life. It may be saying, “Good morning” and smiling at someone on our walk or giving someone a compliment. When we are awake and aware, there are millions of ways to be the presence of God to one another.

Every week we go dancing at a restaurant in Maui called “Mulligans on the Blue.” This Thursday, I witnessed something special when Larry and I were “Vessels of Love” to a young girl on the dance floor. We had already danced a couple of dances and were just sitting and enjoying listening to the jazz band. All of a sudden, this “young girl” appeared on the dance floor dancing all by herself.

All eyes in the room were riveted on her as she twirled around the whole dance floor, raising her arms gracefully. She had a beautiful smile on her face and she was so free and alive. She appeared to not care about what other people thought of her because she was doing what she loved and that was all that mattered. She didn’t have to do it perfectly or try to impress anyone.

Larry looked at me and said, “Do you think I should get up and dance with her?” I immediately said, “Yes.” I will never forget the look in her eyes and the beautiful smile on her face when he joined her on the dance floor. It was priceless watching a 6’ man dancing with this “little angel.” While they were dancing, her mother, Connie, came over to our table (with tears in her eyes) and said to me, “Thank you, it is her birthday today.” She shared that her daughter, Ann, has Down ’s syndrome. My heart was touched and now I had tears in my eyes.

When they finished, the whole room applauded, including members of the band. Why were we all so moved by this simple act of love? Could it be that we were all touched by Ann’s expression of innocence, freedom and love? When Larry came back down to sit down, the man at the next table reached over to him and said, “Well done, thank you for doing that.”

A little while later, Ann came over to me and asked me to dance. Of course, I said, “Yes” and jumped up to dance with her. What a joy it was dancing with her and having so much fun. While we were dancing, Larry went over to her parents table to talk to them. Her mother said, “Ann is 26 years old today (she looked about 12) and we just arrived in Maui today from Australia.”

When we finished dancing, Ann hugged me closely and looked up into my eyes with unconditional love and said, “Thank you.” I went to the band and told them it was her birthday and while they played, we all sang happy birthday to her. I am sure this will be a memorable birthday for her, as it was for us.

My heart was so touched that I had a hard time going to sleep that night and I knew I would be writing a blog about it. I wondered what God was trying to teach me? Dancing is my joy, but I don’t always have the freedom that Ann had. Perhaps my ego gets in the way sometimes because I want to “look good” not make a mistake and be the best.

Ann appeared to be “egoless” in that she didn’t care that she was dancing alone. She was just being herself and having fun. Is this the goal for all of us, to strive to be egoless, live in joy, be ourselves and have fun?

I have read that ego is “Edging God Out.” One of the things ego does is rob us of our peace, bliss and wholeness. We feel separate from others and there is duality. There is no right and wrong, better than or less than, just ego labeling our experiences.

A managed ego state (or egoless state) is free from emotional attachment and reaction from the judgment of others. When ego is attacked or hurt, it does what ego does: fights and hurts back for ego is not love, it is separation.

*What it would be like to be emotionally detached and not react to the judgment of others?

*What would it be like to not take things personally or judge yourself or others harshly?

*What would it be like to not have your way all the time and be flexible?

*What would it be like to acknowledge your mistakes and apologize?

*What would it be like to not have to prove your worth or impress others?

*What would it be like to just be yourself and have fun?

*What would it be like to live in the moment and not worry & live in fear about the future?

*What would it be like to not compare yourself with others?

I think we would experience heaven on earth if we were able to manage our ego and live from love instead of fear. I don’t always recognize when my ego is at work, (especially if I feel “better than or less than” someone else), but I am getting better. When I become conscious and recognize it, I have the opportunity to love, accept and appreciate myself and thank God for showing me the truth.

Thank you Ann for being you, for the truth, for the truth will set me free. I strive to live my life consciously and to live it to the fullest. I want to be detached emotionally from others’ judgments. What a gift it was to be a part of this experience, where the energy of unconditional love caused such happiness and joy for all of us who were present. We truly are all ONE and connected.